Window



April 23, 1946. R. L. GEER YET A WINDOW Filed April 10, 1944 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 QMsae/Z A Gear- 460/70/004 e/Mms 7W4 MTTOQ Y R. L. GEER ETAL WINDOW April 23, 1946.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 10, 1944 zo pe w 6 64- V 5Oa 62 m2- Emma L. Glee)" Leona/"0 O4 Ova/{W's Patented Apr. 23, 1946 WINDOW Russell L. Geer-and Leonard A. Melkus,

Grand Island,'Nebr.

Application April in, 1944, Serial No. 530,430

11 Claims.

The present invention pertains to windows and has particularly to do with a novel window unit although in certain of its aspects the invention is applicable to window constructions generally, as distinguished from purely unit types. The term window unit as used herein is intended to designate a structure. all parts of which. are prefitted at the mill or factory and are wholly or partially assembled there, so that they. may be merchandized, shipped and handledas a single unit and installed as such in a window opening to form a complete window.

One'general aim of the invention is to provide a novel window unit with movable sash which is suited for year-around use without, the necessity of. seasonal installation and removal of storm sash and screens.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and. simplified window unit which is, when installed, suited for use with ordinary shades or Venetian blinds and draperies, and whoseoperating mechanism does not interfere with the same in any way. 1

Another object is to provide a novel and, improved window unit embodying a fixed sash to,- gether with a complemental movable sash which can be raised or lowered into varying degrees of overla with respect to the fixed sash, but in which the two sash are coplanar when the movable sash is closed.

.More particularly, it is an object to provide such a unit as'that identified in the immediately preceding statement of object, which is characterized not only by its superior exterior architectural appearance but which also permits the use of narrow jambs due to the elimination of the 'partingstops which are requisite in ordinary double hung sash.

Another object is to provide in a window construction a novel sash and operating arrangement such that a weightless movable sash is automatically locked securely in any position of rest which it may occupy and yet is, unlike most previous weightless sash, completely freedduring its movement from frictional contact with a compression type weather strip employed in sealing the same when closed.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved operating mechanism for shifting a movv The invention also resides in various'structural improvements and'novel combinations of -elements which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 is a front (exterior) elevation of a window unit embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, showing the window unit installed and the movable sash closed.

Fig; 3 is a'detail perspective View of one of the pair of operating mechanisms for the movable sashof the window unit of Fig.1.

ng: 4 is an enlarged iragmentary detail view oi one upper corner portionof the lower movable sash included in the window unit of Fig-1.

Figs.15 and 6' are fragmentarytransverse sectional views taken, respectively, substantially along the lines 5 5 and 6-6 in Fig. 2, each being rotated 90 clockwise.

' Fig. 7 is afragmentary vertical sectional view similar to the lower portion of Fig. 2, but showing the lower movable sash shifted from the closed position ofFig. 2 to a partially opened position. r

. Fig. 8fis'an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 in Fig, 1 and showing the'detailofthe mechanism for controllable indirect ventilation.

Fig. 8a is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 8a8a in Fig. 8.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, we have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail thepreferredembodiment, but

spirit and scope of our invention as expressed in the appended claims. 1

Referring more particularly to the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the invention has been shown therein as embodied in awindow unit (Fig, 1) suitable for complete fabricationata factory and installation as aself-contained unit at the point of use.

The window unitof Fig. '1 comprises upper and lower sash H], H mounted in a border frame I2.

'Such frame l2 consists of jambs I'Za joined at top and bottom, respectively, bya head jamb' or yoke lZb and sill We (see Figs. 2,7 and 8). Because of the omission of parting stops which the present construction makes possible, the jambs iIZa-c'an be narrower than usual. The customary outside casing 56 is applied as well as the usual inside casing 50a and stool 50b.

In the particular construction shown, the upper sash has wood side stiles l3 and top and bottom rails l4, IS. The lower sash II also has wood side stiles It and bottom rail I! but has a pressed metal top rail I8 (see Fig. 2). This top rail 18 is of hollow form, being fashioned from sheet metal, and has an ofiset shoulder [8c in its upper surface complemental to a shoulder la in the lower side of the rail to insure a tight seal between the two rails when the lower sash is closed. If desired, a sealing strip [512 of felt or other weather stripping may be interposed between the opposed shoulders. Upon reference to Fig. 2 it will be observed that the upper and lower sash Hi, i I are substantially coplanar when closed. The window thus presents a very pleasing and symmetrical external architectural appearance (see Fig. 1).

Sash 10, H are both double glazed to obviate the necessity for separate storm sash. In each sash outer and inner glass panes I9, 20 are provided, the lower edge of each outer pane l9 being received in a metal channel 2| seated in a complemental groove 22 in the wooden bottom portion of the sash and having a forwardlyand downwardly projecting flange 2m which extends forwardly and downwardly over the correspondingly shaped rib on the wooden portion of the sash. These metal channels 2| at the lower edge of each outer pane lil inhibit condensation and leakage. The inner panes 20ers separated from the outer panes by compressed strips of felt 23. Spring metal channels 24 pressed into the grooves 25 which receive theielt strips and edges of the panes hold the latter securely in place. The glazing can be readily installed, removed or replaced from the inside of the room. To remove the glazing it is necessary'merely to pull out the spring metal channels 24 and then lift out the freed panes i9, 20.

In the construction illustrated, the upper sash ii! is fixed or immovable, being secured 'by suitable screws (not shown) to the side jambs lZa. Thelower sash i l is, on the other hand, movable from the closed position of Fig. 2 in which it is coplanar with the upper sash,to a fully open position in which it is vertically disposed behind the upper sash. The degree of overlap or, in

other words, amount of opening for the lower sash, can be varied at will. In general, the motion imparted to the movable sash II is such that it is tilted inwardly about its lower edge from the full line position shown in Fig. 2 to the dotted line position shown in that same figure and is thereafter drawn vertically upward.

To form a pivot for the bottom end of the lower sash ll during the inward tilt of the latter and to guide such bottom of the sash during the vertical movement of the same, guideways 21 are fashioned in the jambs l2a at opposite sides of the window and receive rollers 28 projecting laterally from the lower corners of the sash H.

When the sash I l i closed these rollers 28 are disposed in the vertically extending lower end portions of the guideways 21 (see Fig. 2). Consequently, as the upper end of the sash l l is tilted rearwardly to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2 (by thrusting inwardly the upper end of the sash) the rollers 28 are confined in the lower ends of the guideways 21 so that the sash pivots about these rollers. As the sash H is thereafter pulled upward, the rollers 28 move up through the inclined portions of the guideways 21 to the position indicated in Fig. 7 so that the lower end of the sash is moved inward until the sash stands substantially vertically. Thereafter, during the continued upward movement of the sash, the same is held in substantially vertical position, the rollers 28 riding along through the remaining main vertical portions of the guideways 21.

Tilting and vertical movement of the lower sash llis accomplished by a pair of operating mechanisms designated generally as 29, inset into the jambs l2a in the respective sides of the frame l2 at points adjacent the lower edge of the upper sash l0 (see Figs. 2, 3 and 6). Since these two mechanisms are substantially identical in construction except that they are adapted, respectively, for right and lefthand installation, and since the two are interconnected for operation in unison by a single operating handle, a detailed illustration and description of one will suflice for both, the one located at the righthand side (as viewed from the interior) being shown. To actuate these mechanisms a manual operating handle shown as a crank 30 (Figs. 2 and 3) is provided, the same having a squared shank 30a which is removably insertable into a complemental axial opening in a shaft 3|. The ends of these shafts 3| are flush with the surface of the interior framing of the window at opposite sides of the same and the handle shank 30a can be inserted into either shaft, as desired, for operating the window.

In the illustrated operating mechanism 29 the shaft 3| is journaled within a sheet metal housing or casing 32 (Figs. 2 and 6) and has rigid with it a collar 3la (Fig. 3) engaged by suitable thrust members (not shown) within the casing to prevent axial displacement of the shaft. Also rigid with the shaft 3! is a worm 33 meshing within a worm wheel 34 fixed on a shaft 35; The latter shaft also carries a pinion 31 for a purpose appearing below. The pinions 31 of the operating mechanisms 29 at opposite sides of the window are interconnected by the shaft 35 so that the two mechanisms are operated in unison. For such interconnection the shaft 35 extends across the window, being hidden behind the rail 15 of the stationary upper sash i0 and partiall enclosed by a sheet metal strip 36 fixed to such rail.

Each operating mechanism 29 includes the pinion 31, rigid with the shaft 35 as noted above, and adapted to mesh with corresponding racks 38 (Figs. 1, 3,6 and 7) after the lower sash II has been shifted from its closed position of Fig. 2 to the laterally displaced position of Fig. 7. These racks are fixed to the sash H, being located in grooves extending vertically along the side edges of the outer face of such sash. During the time that the racks 38 are in mesh with the pinions 3'1, the sash II has a simple vertical motion, being raised and lowered by turning of the handle 30 to run the racks and attached sash up and down. During such vertical motion the sash is pressed forward to hold the racks in engagement with the pinions 31 by rollers 39 (Figs. 2 and 6) bearing against the inner faces of the side stiles of the lower sash. These rollers are mounted on inner stops PM (see also Fig. 6) fixed to the jambs I211. The principal difilculty lies in embodying in the operating mechanism an arrangement for shifting the lower sash H from its closed position laterally and upwardly into position suitable for engagement of the rack and pinion drive and for restoration of the movable sash to its closed position, all in response to a simple and uninterrupted rotation of the hand crank 30. Th provision made in the operating mechanism for'solution of that problem will next be described.

Shift of the lower sash between thefull and dotted line positions shown in Fig-:2 is,.in .this instance, accomplished by adisengageable; pin and. slot type connection between the sash and a coacting pivoted eccentric pin actuated by the crank 30. In the illustrative construction (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4) the mechanism is constituted by a sector or mutilated gear 40 journaledon a shaft 4| extending transversely through the housing 32. On the outer portion of the sector 40 is a laterally proj ecting pin carrying a roller 43. roller is received withina slot in the sash, in this instance a slot 44 (Fig. 4) defined by a metal housing member 45 fixed to the inner side of the sash.

arc'uate'series of teeth 46 (Fig. 3) are provided 'on the sector ormutilated gear 40 and adaptedto mesh with a second pinion 41. which in turn meshes with the pinion 31, being revolved by the latter. The pin 42 and its roller 43 project laterally from the mechanism housing32 through an arcuate slot 41 in the latter (Fig. 2) this slot serving to limit the length of the path of travel forthepin; f

With the movable sash in its closed position shown Fig. 2, opening of the same is accomplished by turning theoperating handle in a clockwise direction. This'turns the worm wheel 34 counterclockwise in the direction of the arrow in Fig, 3 so that the first pinion 31 turns in that same direction, while the second pinion 41 turns in an opposite or clockwise direction. ,In con-'- sequence'the sector turns counterclockwise as indicated by the accompanying arrow in Fig. I3. During this initial action the turning of the pinion 31 serves'only as part of the drive tothe sector since the pinion is still out of mesh with the rack 38. Turning of the sector 40, however, serves to tilt the sash ll inward about its lower pivot rollers 28 until it reaches substantially the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2. Continued motion of the sector 40 in the same direction raises the sash substantially to the position of Fig. '7, the rollers 28 on its lower end riding along the trackways 21 so that the lower end of the sash is moved inwardly until the sash as a whole is substantially upright again, but now in a plane offset laterally from that of the upper sash I0. During the final upward motion of the sash imparted to it by the sector 40, the racks38 on the sash are brought into mesh withthe sides of the pinions 31 remote from the upper sash Ill.

Once the racks 38 have been brought into mesh with the pinions 31 as described above,-the sash H is thereafter moved upward by the action of the pinions 31 during continued yturning of the operating handle 30. Just after the racks38 are meshed with the pinions 31 the sectors 4|] complete a sufiicient turning movement of the same that theend of the row of teeth-46 thereon is reached. Thereafter a'slight additionalang'ular turning movement is imparted to the sectors by torsion-springs 48 (Fig. 3) so'that the sectors will remain out of mesh with the pinions 41 and there will be no annoying clicking as the latter continue to revolve. The torsion spring 48 loosely encircle the-shafts 4|, having one end anchored to the sectors 40 and the otherstationarily fixed 'tothe casings 32. Since the lower ends of the housings are-open, the same are free to move upward without interference from the rollers 43 as the sash H continues to rise.

-The-movab1e sash is securely locked in any position-ofrest which-it may occupywhether opened, closed, or partially open. This is for the reason that the worm 33 is of the low efliciency or non-reversible drive type so that any turning movement imparted to the worm wheel 34 through an effort to move the'sash H by grasping it and pulling at it directly willfnot turn the worm. In this same connection, it is-to. be observed that since the frictional engagement of compression type Weatherstripping is not used to hold the movablesash in partially open position, there is no resistance aiforded by such weather stripping to the normal free and easy motion of the sash by the operating handle 30. Upon referenceto Figs. 5 and 6 it will be seen that compressiontype weather stripping, as at 49, is provided for all four edges .of the sash H but engages with it only when the-sash isclosed. Obviously the sealing value of the stripping is of no value whenever the sash i open or partially open'so-that there is no purpose in having contact during the latter conditions. As indicated, the stripping 49 is fixed to the exterior casin 50 which is dimensioned to overlie-the edge portions of the face of the sash H; the stripping being interposed between such face and the casing 5|]. I Y

To lower the sash II to closed position it is necessary merely tov turn the operating handle 30 in a reverse or counterclockwise direction. As the racks 38 approach'their point of disengagement with the pinions :31 during the vertical descent of the sash the housings 45 re-engage the rollers 43, pulling the same downward slightly 'so that the teeth '46 of the'sectors 40 are reengaged with the" pinions 41. Thereafter the rotation of the pinions 41 turns the sectors 4|] so that the rollers 43 on the latter thrust the sash |l downwardly and forwardly into fully closed position- I Effective protection against the entry of insects when the sash I is open or partially open is provided by a roller type flexible screen 5| (Figs. 2 and '7) This screen i's mounted within a sheet metal housing .52 fixed in place between the sill He and stool 50b. The screen is wrapped about a rewind roller or reel 55 having a torsion'spring 56 which normally biases the roller to turn in a direction t-oreel in the screen. The side edges of the screen overlie the-"outer edges of the stops l2d. In-orderto avoid'distortion and possible harm to the screen 5| whichwould result from bending'bf thesamefincident to the lateral motion of the lowe'r end of the sash ll, shouldthe screen befixedly'attached to the latter, provision is made for automatically'engaging and'disengaging the screen from the sash. For that purpose a metal strip 51 is fixed tothe edge of the screen andhaving a downturnedfiange 51a. A second metal strip 58 having a complemental ly shaped upturned flange 58a' is'screwedto the lower rail of the sash H. When the sash His inits closed position shown in Fig; 2, the mating flanges 51a, 58aare'completely disengaged as shown." Shift of the lower edge of the sash into its'laterally offset position as it moves upwardly brings the flange 58a beneath'thefiange 51a as shown in Fig. 7Vso that in the subsequent upward movement of the sash the 'ilanges will engage and the screen 5| be unreeled. The pull of the underlying flange 58a on the overlying flange 5Ta tends to thrust the latter towardthe stops I2b, so that the edges "of the screen are retainedin tight sealing engagement with the latter (see Fig. 5). As the sash descends the'spring 56 reels the screen s ynn tnelinetal str p 1 lod es 'frictlonally in the openingin the sheet metal housing 52 through which the screen passes, thereby arresting further reeling-in of the screen. The continued descent and lateral shift of the lower-edge of the sash thereupon disengages theflange 58a from the mating flange cm. A tongue SZa-struck out from the housing 52 along .the edge of the opening in the latter through which the screen emerges serves to form an effective frictional engagement surface for arresting thedownward movement of the edge strip 51 on the screen.

Provision is also made in the disclosed window unit for effecting indirect ventilation when it is desired as, for example, during extremely cold weather when it is inexpedient to open the sash I I. For that purpose a louver 59 (Fig; 8) is pro,- vided in the header or topmember of the exterior casing. Outside air entering the louver 59 passes into the space 60 and thence down tlnough a controlled opening 6| in the yoke 121) into the room, that is, to the inner side of. the window.

To control the amount of air permitted to enter through the opening 6! an adjustable closure 62 is provided-for the same. This closure is of wood and has a rounded bead fiZa extending longitudinally of its outer edge. and received in a complemental groove in the top rail of the upper sash l0, thereby pivoting the closure for vertical movement. One or more contractile springs 63, anchored to the yoke and to the free edge of the closure, urge the closure upward toward closed position. An operator consisting of a reenforced disk 64 fixed adjacent its edge to a shaft 65 having a crank 56 on its other end serves as an adjustable stop for forcing the closure 62 to open position. Turning the disk 64 either right or left from the position shown frees the closure 62 to move towards completely closed position.

From the foregoing it will be perceived that a simple and highly effectual window construction has been afiorded. Movement of the sash for opening or closing entails merely rotation of a shaft, as for example by the simple hand crank 30 here shown, although that simple rotation eventuates in a compound lateral and vertical motion of the sash. The superior appearance of a window in which the sash are coplanarwhen closed is combined with the convenience of ventilation afforded by ordinary double hung sash and with the use of an operating mechanism which in no way interferes with ordinary decorative curtain treatment. Double glazing and screen protection are always available. without making seasonal installation and, removal of storm sash or screens. Yet when not in use the reeledin screen is fully housed and protected from the weather, while the double glazing, although always available, can be readily removed for cleaning should any dust or dirt sift into the space between the panes;

We claim as our invention:

1. In a window unit, the combination of a frame having an upper sash fixed therein and a lower movable sash disposed when closed in substantially coplanar relation with the upper sash, a pinion revolubly mounted adjacent the lower edge of said upper sash, the lower sash having a rack thereon adapted to mesh with said pinion to move the lower sash in a vertical direction in h 'rearwardly and- Y imparting an initial elevating movement to the same to bring the rack on said lower sash into mesh with said pinion.

I 2. In a'window unit, the combination of a frame having an'upper sash fixed therein and a lower movable sash disposed when closed in substantially coplanar relation with the upper sash, a pinion revolubly mounted adjacent the lower edge of said upper sash, the lower sash having a rack tliereon adapted to mesh with said pinion to move the lower sash in a vertical direction in response to turning of the pinion when the lower sash is displaced rearwardly and upwardly from its closed position to bring said rack into mesh with said pinion, saidframe having a guideway on its side portion having its lower end substantially in the plane of the upper sash and extending angularly upward and inward from such lower portion to a plane displaced inward of such upper sash and thence vertically upward, said lower sash having a lateral projection on its lower corner received in said guideway, and means including an oscillatable arm having a projection thereon and received in a. slot presented by a housing member fixed to the lower sash for tilting the latter rearwardly about said projection as a pivot and thereafter imparting an initial elevating movement .to such lower sash to bring the rack on the latter -into mesh with said pinion.

' 3. In a window unit, the combination of. a frame having an upper sash fixed therein and a lower movable sash disposed when closed in substantially coplanar relation with the upper sash, a pair of pinions revolubly mounted on opposite sides of said frame adjacent the lower edge of said upper sash; the lower sash having a pair of vertically extending racks fixed thereto at opposite sides of its outer face and adapted to mesh with respective ones of said pinions to move the lowersash in a vertical direction in response to turning of the pinions when the lower sash is displaced rearwardly and'upwardly from its closed position to bringisaid'rack into mesh with said pinion, and means includingan oscillatablearm having a pin and slot type of connection with the lower sash for tilting the latter rearwardly and imparting an initial elevating movement to the same to bring the racks on said lower sash into mesh with said pinion," a 7 4;. Ina window construction, the combination of a movable sash having a vertically extending rack fixed thereto, means for guiding the lower end of said sash for movement in a fixed path betweenupper and lower limits laterally offset from eachother, said path extending upwardly and laterally from the lower limit and thence in a substantially straight line vertically upward to the upper limit, a pinion disposed to mesh with said rack when the sash is positioned vertically with its lower end insaid straight line portion of said path, and means including a pivoted operating member having a disengageable pin and slot connection with said sash for swinging said sash laterally about its lower end to bring the upper end of said sash into and out of position for engagement of said rack and pinion.

5. In a. window construction, the combination of a movable sash having a vertically extendin rack fixed thereto, means for guiding the lower end of said sash for movement in a fixed path between upper and lower limits laterally offset from each other, said path extending upwardly and laterally from the lower limit and thence in a substantially straight line vertically upward to the upper limit, a first pinion disposed to mesh with said rack when the sash is positioned vertically with its lower end in said straight line portion of said path, a pivotally mounted mutilated gear having an eccentric pin thereon, means including a second pinion meshed with said first pinion and said gear for turning the latter intermittently in response to rotation of said first pinion, and means on said sash defining a vertical slot positioned to receive said pin to effect lateral tilting of the sash by movement of said pin when the latter is engaged with said slot, and said slot having an open lower end to permit disengagement of the pin as the sash moves upward.

6. In a window construction, the combination of a movable sash, means including a rack carried by the sash and a revoluble drive pinion mounted adjacent the sash for moving the latter vertically in a predetermined straight line path, means on said sash defining a slot having an open lower end, a pin adapted to enter said slot upon descent of the sash in said straight line path, and means intermittently actuated in timed relation with the rotation of said pinion for shifting said pin generally laterally when the latter is disposed within said slot.

7. In a window construction, the combination of a. movable sash, means including a rack carried by the sash and a revoluble drive pinion mounted adjacent the sash for moving the latter vertically in a predetermined straight line path, means on said sash defining a slot having an open lower end, a mutilated gear having an eccentric pin thereon adapted to enter said slot upon descent of the sash, means supporting said mutilated gear for turning movement about an axis such as to efiect movement of the pin thereon in a direction generally lateral of the straight line path of motion for the sash, and means including a second pinion meshed with the first-mentioned pinion and said mutilated gear for turning the latter in response to rotation of the first-mentioned pinion whereby to effect intermittent movement of said pin in timed relation with the movement of said sash in its straight line path by said rack and first-mentioned pinion.

8. In a window construction, the combination of a movable sash, means including a rack carried by the sash and a revoluble drive pinion mounted adjacent the sash for moving the latter vertically in a predetermined straight line path, means on said sash defining a slot having an open lower end, a mutilated gear having an eccentric pin thereon adapted to enter said slot upon descent of the sash, means supporting said mutilated gear for turning movement about an axis such as to effect movement of the pin thereon in a direction generally lateral of the straight line path of motion for the sash, means including a second pinion meshed with the first-mentioned pinion and said mutilated gear for turning the latter in response to rotation of the first-mentioned pinion whereby to eiiect intermittent movement of said pin in timed relation with the movement of said sash in its straight line path by said rack and first-mentioned pinion, and spring means for yieldably urging said mutilated gear to turn in a direction to effect complete disengagement of the same from said second pinion.

9. In a window construction the subcombination of an operating mechanism for a removable sash having a vertically extending rack thereon, which comprises, a first drive pinion adapted to mesh with said rack, an idler pinion meshed with said drive pinion, a mutilated gear meshed with said idler pinion and having an eccentric pin projecting laterally therefrom, a torsion spring arranged to yieldably urge said mutilated gear constantly in the direction of rotation for the same corresponding to the direction of rotation of the drive pinion for elevating a rack meshed therewith, and means for limiting the turning of said mutilated gear to a predetermined are.

it). In a window construction the combination of a frame having upper and lower sash therein, said upper sash being fixed and said lower sash being movable, said sash being disposed in substantially coplanar relation with respect to each other when the movable sash is closed, actuating means for imparting a compound motion to said movable lower sash in which such lower sash is moved generally laterally inward from its closed position and thereafter vertically upward in opening the same, a housing in the lower portion of said frame having a spring actuated takeup reel therein, a flexible insect screen wrapped about said reel with a free end portion withdrawable from said housing, disengageable mating abutments fixed, respectively, to the lower edge of said movable sash and to the free end of said screen, and means for automatically freeing said abutments from each other during closing of said lower sash by arresting downward movement of the abutment on said screen as the movable sash approaches the lower limit of its downward movement in closing.

11. In a window construction the combination of a frame having upper and lower sash therein, said upper sash being fixed and said lower sash being movable, said sash being disposed in substantially coplanar relation with respect to each other when the movable sash is closed, actuating means for imparting a compound motion to said movable lower sash in which such lower sash is moved generally laterally inward from its closed position and thereafter vertically upward in opening the same, vertical stops on the side portions of said frame presenting outwardly disposed faces at the inner side of said movable sash, a housing in the lower portion of said frame having a spring actuated take-up reel therein, a

flexible insect screen wrapped about said reel with a free end portion withdrawable from said housing and dimensioned for its lateral edges to overlie said stop faces in sealing engagement therewith, disengageable mating abutments fixed, respectively, to the lower edge of said movable sash and to the free end of said screen, and means for automatically freeing said abutments from each other during closing of said lower sash by arresting downward movement of the abutment on said screen as the movable sash approaches the lower limit of its downward movement in closing.

RUSSELL L. GEER.

LEONARD A, MELKUS. 

